The 166 Spyder Corsa was aimed at the most sporting crowd — those interested in both circuit racing their new Ferrari while maintaining the ability to drive it in road races and on the street. The Besana brothers (Soave and Gabriele) of Lombardy were perhaps the ideal first Ferrari customers. Both aristocratic, with means from their family’s confectionery concern, the two brothers dove headfirst into international post-war racing scene, each purchasing a Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa for the 1948 racing season. The dual-use Spyder Corsas they purchased (chassis number 004C for Soave and 002C for Gabriele) featured Carrozzeria Ansaloni bodywork with motorcycle-type mudguard fenders and simple forward lighting for sports-car races, with the ability to remove these features for Formula Two competition.
Soave’s Spyder Corsa, chassis number 004C, was prepared during this time with dynamometer testing on February 12, 1948, and delivery on March 17 of that year, just in time to start the Italian racing season. Numerous histories — including its Classiche record and that of highly regarded Ferrari historian Marcel Massini — have Besana and chassis 004C registered with Milano plates “MI 113253” entering and finishing 6th in the 1948 Targa Florio following the Giro di Sicilia route.
After 77 years, Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa chassis number 004C retains its original chassis, Ansaloni body, Tipo 166 V12 engine and Colombo-designed 5-speed racing gearbox, as confirmed by the accompanying Ferrari Classiche Certification — a virtually unheard of “run of the board” for a competition car, let alone one of the oldest Ferraris ever produced. Never before offered for public sale, 004C represents a unique opportunity to acquire the oldest, most complete Ferrari.
(Introductory description courtesy of Broad Arrow Auctions.)
